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Review – Gary Lam’s Wing Chun Kicking Instructional DVD

Most non- Wing Chun martial artists associate Wing Chun solely with hand techniques, but in fact from the very first form of Wing Chun, “Sil Lim Tau,” stance and leg work are there, but perhaps not obvious to the casual observer or even student. Kicking per se does not actually come into play until “Cham Kiu,” and is further examined in the “Mook Yan Jong form.” “Wing Chun Kicking 1” DVD by Sifu Gary Lam, a long time student of Wong Shun Leung, explores the world on Wing Chun kicking. Sifu Lam explains that Wing Chun kicking is effective because the Wing Chun kick does not stop and moves forward. A leg can continue to kick multiple times if necessary or if the chance presents itself step forward. There are six sections on the DVD that deal with Wing Chun kicking and demonstrate repeatedly the eight kicks found in the Wong Shun Leung Wing Chun lineage. Each section on the DVD explores Wing Chun kicks slightly differently. The DVD begins with Sifu Lam demonstrating the kicks and progresses to demonstration against student, two students, Mook Yan Jong demonstration, some exercises for kicking, and concludes with examples “real -world fighting” using Wing Chun kicks. This last section is where both Wong Shun Leung’s and Sifu Lam’s fighting experience benefit the viewer. “Wing Chun Kicking Instructional DVD” will make a welcome addition to any Wing Chun practitioner’s arsenal as the DVD explores the seldom explored world of Wing Chun kicking.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Complete Wooden Dummy Instructional DVD

Sifu Gary Lam working on a dummy with arms set to mid-chest level.

“The Complete Wooden Dummy Instructional DVD” is Sifu Gary Lam’s first DVD on the Mook Yan Jong (MYJ) as taught by the late Wong Shun Leung. Since releasing this DVD Sifu Lam had now released a second DVD on the MYJ, which is complimentary to this MYJ DVD. After learning the empty-hand forms from Grandmaster Yip Man and then going to test his skills on the streets of Hong Kong Sifu Wong altered the Mook Yan Jong as taught by Yip Man by adding techniques and changing the sequence of the techniques as well as rethinking some of the theory such as sticking to the arms during the MYJ form. Sifu Lam documents his Sifu’s form by systematically examining the form, demonstrating the form as well introducing the “air-dummy” and most importantly explaining the reasoning behind the techniques. The DVD is dedicated to the breakdown, examination and illustration of Wong’s MYJ form. Sifu Lam does a very good job of explaining that the form is not quite so black and white as it may appear and that the student or practitioner of Wing Chun must use their imagination when performing the sequence. This is a solid entry for Sifu Lam on the Mook Yan Jong and recommended. Time on the DVD is 1:40:58.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Back Yard Chi Sao DVD

This DVD is a relaxed presentation of Chi Sau. The DVD focuses exclusively on Chi Sau, which also means all elements of Wing Chun forms and theory are present. Presented literally in a backyard the DVD is broken into five short segments of varying length. Within these segments Sifu Lam covers important points of Chi Sau that are not often highlighted, expanded upon or discussed in greater detail. Within the DVD one can witness the speed of Wing Chun exchanges as Sifu Lam shows his both his control and speed. Once can also see the hallmark of Wing Chun – simultaneous defense and offense that is so characteristic of Wing Chun. Sifu Lam also demonstrates some kicking techniques, but not as extensively as the hand techniques. There are some areas in which Sifu Lam deals with grappling. Wing Chun does not have “distinct” grappling, but more like methods of control – at least those lineages derived from Grandmaster Yip Man. Given the nature of the subject, this DVD is more for the intermediate and advanced level students than a beginner. The video is a bit grainy, the sound can sometimes be busy, but the DVD is a very thorough of investigation and coverage of Wing Chun Chi Sau and therefore easily recommended.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Biu Jee DVD

Biu Jee is Sifu Gary Lam’s entry for the third and final open-hand form of Wing Chun. This form is also known as the “Emergency Form.” Once again the late Wong Shun Leung’s experience with challenge fights (Beimo) can be seen within the form. As an example Sifu Lam explains that Biu Sau within “Biu Jee” is underhand, but it is not used with a shift of the body, which is misunderstood by some. Biu Sau in Biu jee is a breaking action, NOT an attack. The form itself is demonstrated multiple times and from various angles. Not only does Sifu Lam demonstrate the form, but he also has adds Fung Hao and closing, which can include take downs, the 12 hands of Pak Sau, and covers the Cantonese names with subtitle of the techniques, something not done in the previous DVDs. As to the presentation of the DVD Sifu Lam seems more at ease, the camera angles wider to encompass the techniques, and the sound is crisp. It should be mention that the camera moves around quite a bit in the DVD.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Fighting Strategy DVD

Of all of Sifu Lam’s Wing Chun DVDs this DVD “Seminar: Fighting Strategy” is arguably Sifu Lam’s most advanced DVD to date. The DVD is not one that focuses on the actual techniques of Wing Chun, although many ideas do just that, but rather the ideas behind the late Wong Shun Leung’s Wing Chun and fighting. Sifu Wong believes that Wing Chun was concept based rather than technique based. Wong also believed that the better Wing Chun martial artist uses Wing Chun without letting Wing Chun control him/her. To gain the most from the DVD a student should have a solid background in Wing Chun, but some of the concepts presented on the DVD could be used by any martial artist. Sifu Lam covers many concepts and ideas behind fighting and some of those do not necessarily originate with Wing Chun, but most of the ideas presented do. Due to the coverage of a extensive set of ideals, the DVD is lengthy at 1:49:15. Additionally, Sifu Lam himself was both a fighter and trainer and ideas from his experience are also covered. This DVD is recommended for the advanced student, but could also be seen as an investment for the beginning student or fighter.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Devastating Chi Sao Crossing Hands System 2

The “Devastating Chi Sao Crossing Hands System 2” DVD by Sifu Lam is a continuation in Lam’s exploration of Wong Shun Leung Wing Chun and focuses on advanced Chi Sao. Sifu Lam classifies the techniques or actions presented on the DVD as level 2. The most important idea behind the DVD is control of the opponent rather than striking the opponent. This is accomplished by use hand techniques, sweeps, kicks and the body itself.

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Review – Gary Lam’s Making Gwoh Sau Work For You DVD

Review by: Fred Sears

As usual, the delivery time for this dvd from EWC (“Everything Wing Chun”) was exemplary – approximately 3 days from when the order was placed to delivery to me.  When purchased as part of a bundle, substantial savings are possible.

Sifu Gary Lam is recognized worldwide as being one of the foremost authorities on the “Wong Shun Leung” system of Wing Chun having trained under him for 15 years and having been the head instructor at Sifu Wong Shun Leung’s Hong Kong school for six years.

This video of Sifu Lam’s – “Making Gwoh Sau Work For You” is full of demonstrations of Sifu Lam performing “gwoh sau” – a type of free hands sparring where pretty much anything goes albeit at lighter than full contact and sometimes, but not always, less than full speed between two wing chun practitioners that helps them to develop their wing chun attributes. It has the usual high production value that is familiar to me from Crane’s Productions and is about one hour long.

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